Speaker Bosma announces House Republican Legislative Agenda

News release from the Indiana House of Representatives Republican Caucus:

Speaker Bosma announces House Republican Legislative Agenda
Accountability is our Responsibility

STATEHOUSE (October 14, 2014) – Indiana House Speaker Brian C. Bosma CR-Indianapolis) along with members of the House Republican Caucus unveiled the 2015 House Republican Legislative Agenda. They outlined their plan to increase accountability for all Hoosiers while strengthening Indiana in four major categories: Budget, Education, Ethics and Public Safety.

“As elected leaders, we must be accountable to Hoosiers – accountability is our responsibility. I look forward to working together this legislative session to address these issues,” said Speaker Bosma.

The state’s biennial budget is up for review next legislative session; passing an honestly balanced budget that does not increase taxes on Hoosiers or place unsustainable financial burdens on future generations serves as the foundation of the House Republican agenda.

“We have an obligation to Hoosiers to manage our state’s finances responsibly and live within our means,” said State Rep. Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville), the Chairman of Ways and Means. “As we begin to make preparations for the next two-year budget, we must consider the long-term health and sustainability of our economy by continuing to make strategic investments that secure our state’s future.”

According to the State Budget Agency, over half of the biennial budget currently goes towards Indiana’s education system. The House Republicans will work to increase this funding while fixing the funding formula, reducing overhead, focusing dollars on the classroom and providing hard-working teachers with a tax credit.

“I have had many teachers across Indiana tell me that the distribution of school funds is unfair – we will fix this. For years, teachers across Indiana start their school years by dipping into their own wallets to buy supplies for their students. This session, we hope to provide teachers with a tax credit for these supplies. We need to support our public school teachers as they support our students,” said Speaker Bosma.

House Republicans have a long track record of transparency initiatives. This session, ethics will be added to the list by strengthening disclosure laws, increasing transparency and safeguarding the public trust.

“This is not a Republican or Democrat issue – this is an issue that our entire institution must get behind because public confidence is indispensable to faith in democracy,” said Speaker Bosma.

Even though Indiana’s economic statistics are at an all-time high, public safety continues to be an issue impacting the state. Currently, the state is tied for the third highest amount of police deaths, Indiana is ranked as having the fifth highest infant mortality rate and the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) turned away 1,743 victims due to lack of space at their shelters.

House Republicans will be working with local communities, strategically investing funds and working with the ICADV on multiple issues. The House will also be partnering with ICADV as the Speaker’s charity initiative for the year.

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